The driver circuitry operates from a single +5 V power source. Additional voltages are generated on the board by high efficiency switching power supplies. The laser power input may be operated down to +3 V to conserve power at the expense of switching speed. Input laser power may also be increased to up to +12 V to enhance switching speed for high inductance lasers. For most applications laser power may be tied to the driver +5 V supply, or through an external switch as an additional safety interlock.
An on board field programmable gate array (FPGA) is programmed to handle communications, to modify adjustable features, and to provide external flags and signals to a host system. The FPGA also contains a comprehensive pulse generation system with many programmable features. Adjustments can also be made through analog operation by the use of multi-turn potentiometers and providing an external TTL trigger pulse so a serial interface is not required. The driver also supplies a bidirectional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) thermoelectric cooler (TEC) controller with current capability of ±3 A and voltage capability of ±4 V.
The board is supplied with a heatsink adapter plate to mount to an external heatsink as well as the mating ribbon and micro coax cables. RoHS and military versions are available.